Scarlets head for Amlin
A late penalty from Stephen Jones earned the Scarlets victory at Castres and a place in the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Last Updated: 21/01/12 8:36pm
A penalty from fly-half Stephen Jones two minutes from time earned the Scarlets a 16-13 victory at Castres and a place in the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup.
In a dramatic contest, Jones' late kick and a 90-metre interception try from flanker Aaron Shingler claimed a deserved win for the West Walians and the runners-up spot in Pool 1.
The only downside for the Scarlets was a second-half injury to Wales fly-half Rhys Priestland, which will be a worry for national coach Warren Gatland so close to the RBS 6 Nations.
Davies had been forced into making nine changes from the side that lost to the Saints in Llanelli the previous week, but it was hardly noticeable in the first quarter.
The Scarlets dominated the early exchanges and were rewarded for their endeavour with a 10th-minute penalty from Priestland.
The Welsh region were causing the Castres defence all sorts of problems and it came as no surprise when they were celebrating the game's opening try thanks to a superb individual effort from number eight Matt Gilbert - on his first European start.
Wales centre Jonathan Davies, who was a constant threat, made the critical burst, but Gilbert still had plenty of work to do to beat the last defender and race into the corner.
Priestland missed the conversion, and the Castres faithful then thought their side had pulled a try back when France wing Marc Andreu dived in at the corner.
Referee JP Doyle consulted the television match official and he adjudged a foot in touch.
Priestland missed a chance to extend the visitors' advantage by pushing a penalty wide on 26 minutes and, with flanker Richie Pugh hauled down a metre short and the outstanding Davies denied a clear run to the try-line by a last-ditch tackle after intercepting 60 metres out, the Scarlets should have been further ahead.
Instead, with mistakes and ill-discipline creeping into the Scarlets' game, it was the home side who finished an entertaining half the stronger.
New South African recruit Rory Kockott put his side on the board with a penalty on 33 minutes and landed another two minutes before the interval to make it 8-6 at the turnaround.
Stubborn
In contrast to the opening half, it was Castres who flew out of the blocks, and it took some stubborn defence from the Scarlets on their own line to keep the home side out.
The visitors lost Priestland to a leg injury on 53 minutes, then with Castres again pressing the Scarlets' line, Shingler produced his remarkable intervention.
Snaffling a pass 90 metres out, the flanker showed tremendous pace and stamina to outstrip two Castres backs to the line.
Crucially, though, Jones missed with the conversion and, after spilling the restart, the visitors were left to defend for their lives in the final quarter.
Wing Liam Williams produced a try-saving tackle in the corner on Romain Martial, but eventually with Castres number eight Chris Masoe to the fore, all the pressure told with replacement Yannick Forestier driving over from close range.
Full-back Romain Teulet squared things up with the conversion, then Jones pushed another penalty attempt wide.
With the game in the balance, Jones had another chance to win it on 78 minutes and this time made no mistake to claim a memorable win.
